LocostUSA.com

Time will tell if I can actually find documentation regarding what is required to make a Locost street legal, but in the meantime, I found some interesting DMV info to license the vehicle. It appears (and I'll have to read it in more detail) that I can apply for a Hobbyist plate. The thing I like about that is that they look "old" compared to our regular plates. You'd think the government would make it easier to find the needed information....



Hobbyist license plates
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/ve ... bbyist.htm
Hobbyist license plates are available for:

* street-modified vehicles at least 20 years old
* replica of a vehicle at least 20 years old
* reconstructed vehicles
* motorized homemade vehicles (homemade motorcycles must replicate a cycle at least 20 years old.)

Hobbyist registrations differ from collector registrations which are available for vehicles 20 years old or older that have not been altered or modified from the manufacturer's specifications.

Hobbyist license numbers are assigned to the owner for a lifetime. Registration does not expire. A letter suffix is added to the number (i.e., 1A, etc.) for subsequent hobbyist vehicles owned by the same person.

Types of hobbyist vehicles
Street modified vehicles

* Vehicle must be at least 20 years old.
* Vehicle may be modified from the original manufacturer's specifications.
* Vehicle can still be recognized as the original year and make.
* Vehicles are typically known as "hot rods" or "street rods".

Replica

* Vehicle is a reproduction of a vehicle originally made by another manufacturer.
* Vehicle must replicate a vehicle at least 20 years old.
* "Kit cars" may be replicas.
* May need to have MV2855 PDF (46 KB) completed.

Reconstructed vehicles

* Vehicle must be constructed from a vehicle at least 20 years old.
* Vehicle must no longer be recognizable as the original vehicle.
* Vehicle must be inspected by a Wisconsin State Patrol Officer. An appointment for the inspection must be made in advance.
* Vehicle will have a Wisconsin assigned identification number issued upon receipt of the application.
* Application materials must include bills of sale for all major parts used in the construction of the vehicle.

Motorized homemade vehicles

* Homemade motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, qualify for hobbyist plates.
* Vehicle must have been constructed from new or used parts not originating from or resembling a previously manufactured motor vehicle.
* Homemade motorcycles that replicate a cycle at least 20 years old.
* Vehicle must be inspected by a Wisconsin State Patrol Officer.

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Things you should know:

* Owners of a hobbyist vehicle must have one or more vehicles used for regular transportation and currently registered in Wisconsin.
* Truck type vehicles and motor homes with hobbyist plates cannot haul more than 500 pounds.
* Hobbyist vehicles cannot be operated during January unless a temporary operation plate is purchased. A five-consecutive-day plate may be purchased by sending form MV2750 PDF (15 KB) with the correct fee to the address provided on the form.
* If you own and wish to register a motor vehicles 20 years or older that has not been altered or modified from the manufacturer's specifications obtain form MV2323 PDF (21 KB) Application for Collector Registration to register these vehicles.

Note: For residents of Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Waukesha and Washington counties, an emission test is required within 45 days of the date that a hobbyist plate is issued, if the vehicle is 1968 or newer.[/img]

Homemade or reconstructed vehicles

Homemade vehicles are motor vehicles constructed or assembled from new or used parts. Reconstructed vehicles are motor vehicles substantially altered or modified from the original manufacturer's specifications. (see Wisconsin Administrative Code Trans 305.065 PDF and Wisconsin Statutes 341.268(1)(b) and (d)) PDF (275 KB).


Standards for Vehicle Equipment:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/t ... ans305.pdf

Registration of Vehicle:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0341.pdf

So, if you use used parts that originating from a previously manufactured motor vehicle, you are NOT able to qualify for the hobbiest plate?

Guess I should have become a lawyer, just so I could understand this stuff...

Sounds incredibly vague to me, as that sentence implies (the way I understand it) that the vehicle can't look like a previously manufactured vehicle, yet another point in the information says "Vehicle can still be recognized as the original year and make." and "Vehicle is a reproduction of a vehicle originally made by another manufacturer."

The Wisconsin Vehicle Inspection Program

The Wisconsin Vehicle Inspection Program is part of the State of Wisconsin's overall strategy to improve air quality in southeastern Wisconsin.

Owners of reconstructed or homemade vehicles in Wisconson are required to meet the emission and emission equipment standards for the engine year of the vehicle.

Of course the burden of proof is always with the owner, so be sure to document EVERYTHING.

This is the info from that document as it relates to Wisconson Standards for Vehicle Equipment:

Trans 305.065 Homemade, replica, street modified, reconstructed and off–road vehicles.

(1) INSPECTION.
Upon completion of assembly or reconstruction, every homemade or reconstructed vehicle shall be inspected prior to being registered or titled for compliance with this chapter and ch. 347, Stats. The inspection shall be performed by an inspector authorized by the department to perform inspections of salvage vehicles under s. 342.07, Stats. This subsection does not apply to trailers or semitrailers.

(2) TITLES.
(a) Homemade and reconstructed vehicles. The department shall issue a title indicating that a vehicle is a homemade or reconstructed vehicle where the make of the vehicle would otherwise be shown on the title. The model year shown on the title shall match the calendar year of the inspection performed under this section.

(b) Replica and street modified vehicles. The department shall issue a title indicating that a vehicle is a replica or street modified vehicle and the make and model year shown on the title shall be the original make and model year of the street modified vehicle or the make and model year of the vehicle being replicated. The installation of reproduction body parts on a previously manufactured and titled vehicle body and frame is not considered by the department to constitute a replica vehicle for purposes of identifying the vehicle on its title. A vehicle shall be considered a replica or a street modified vehicle if it has been certified by the owner to be a replica or a street modified vehicle for purposes of registration under s. 341.268, Stats. A vehicle shall also be considered a street modified vehicle if the vehicle’s engine has been replaced with one which required adaptation beyond ordinary replacement.

(3) REGISTRATION.
As provided in s. 341.10 (6), Stats., no vehicle originally designed and manufactured for off–highway use may be registered by the department unless it bears the label required by section 114 of the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act of 1966, as amended. The label shall be affixed by the original manufacturer and shall certify that at the time of manufacture the vehicle met all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. Vehicles generally not eligible to be registered include, but are not limited to, mini–bikes, go–carts and all–terrain vehicles.

Note: Section 114 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, as amended, is codified as 15 USC 1403. 49 CFR Part 567 establishes standards for the location and contents of the required label.

History: Cr. Register, February, 1996, No. 482, eff. 3–1–96; am. (1) and (2) (b), Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11–1–97.

It seems to me (bear in mind I have only had one cup of coffee) that a locost qualifies as a hot rod, and as a replica. Most people would think it is a lotus upon which it is based. There is a new quirk to the emissions testing for those that live in the southeast corner of the state, vehicles manufactured in 1995 and before no longer require an emissions test. If you vehicle doesn't have a computer and has a stick then you get to watch someone beat the daylights out of it.

With a hobbyist plate you have to have a currently registered vehicle with standard plates.

My dad put hobbyist plates on the 1965 Jeep J300 because it has a substantial lift and cut fenders. A friend said to get those plates because he said that the cops dont bother you if you have them (since that guy got bothered for bumper heights and noise and what not with normal plates)

Not quite sure how this all applies to a locost but it's more an example of how to apply the rules and codes to help determine their intent.

See below:



Notice the hobbyist plates.